This year I plan to write more. I will update current clients on any practice changes and people considering being clients will have the opportunity to get to know me through these small exchanges. In reflection, this year, has been one of considerable growth. Many thanks to my current and past clients for recommending me.
So to end off the year I decided to share my go-to resources that I frequently recommend to clients, friends and colleagues.
Resources I frequently recommend in order:
Happiness Trap by Russ Harris – If you are a new client this book is the one I will most likely recommend as we start out. There is an illustrated version with the title “Happiness Trap – illustrated version.” The chapters are three pages or less. Many of my clients have gone on to buy the full version after much success with the long version. This is also available as an audiobook.
Three circles of emotion regulation – In any first appointment clients will see the below image. Most people enter therapy because the red threat circle has become inflated and the green soothing system circle has become small. I help people find ways through language, self-care, and therapy like Brainspotting to build that green circle back up again.
Set boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawwab – This book is new to me this year and has been an excellent resource for many clients. The author has an excellent way of speaking and this is also available as an audiobook.
Mindful Self-compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer – This book is a good discovery of the common blocks to self-compassion and why more self-compassion creates better boundaries. There is a misunderstanding that self-compassion is fluffy and soft causing people to be weak. In fact, self-compassion is quite the opposite and this book explains why with useful exercises to challenge your own beliefs.
This is not an exhaustive list of what I recommend to clients because each person is so unique and sometimes other resources are important. These ones compose what I frequently recommend to get started.